High Flyin' But No Foolin'
Ram-Bam Records RAM 0001
High Fly; Let's Have Some Fun;
Blue Mood; Gulf Coast Mambo; Foolish Woman; Lil' Red Wagon; Texas
Boogaloo; Organ Grinder's Swing; No Foolin'; I've Sen You Somewhere;
The Return Of The Prodigal Son; My Sweetheart
Groovy Eyes
are a four piece band from Finland. Over recent years we have
reviewed a variety of acts from both Sweden and Denmark, all of whom
favour authentic sounding blues played on genuine 50's/60s gear and
with a flair for capturing that period sound and style.
Scandinavians take their music seriously! That's not to say they
don't groove and have fun, though, they sure do! Groovy Eyes live up
to the promise of their name ..
The opening cut is a fine
swing with tasty guitar and honking tenor. What's more, like five
other cuts, it was written by lead guitarist Jussi Raulamo. (Raulamo
actually plays his guitar through a 1950s valve radio creating a
very rich tone). He has good style, T-Bone Walker-ish, I suppose on
these early 40s sounding cuts. "Let's Have Some Fun" is in the same
vein and, yes, they do have fun!.
By track 4 they're in a
Louisiana mood as is track 5. The mix on these cuts was a little
harsh to my ears. Then track 6 heads in a country direction (well,
western swing, at any rate) and definitely to the Lone Star State
for "Texas Boogaloo" where Raulamo shows he has just the right
guitar licks for yet another genre. Hammond organ fleshes this one
out nicely. From here on it's a different sounding album, with extra
musicians and a bigger sound. They loose a little of the space that
let Raulamo shine through beautifully on the early cuts, though the
overall feel becomes a little funkier. Another Raulamo original, "No
Foolin'" sits well here.
The final cut, Roy Milton's "My
Sweetheart" brings the dynamics back down, and with brushed drums,
Raulamo takes the sentimental vocal and makes a good job of it and
plays neat guitar, though the tone is a little harsher than the
opening cuts.
These guys are good. "High Flyin' But No
Foolin'" has already been well received in Europe and the States and
hopefully Jussi Raumalo is working on the follow up!
You can
check the band out at
www.groovyeyes.com
